Fiber Optic Closure Support Structure for Tube Shrinkage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telecommunications closure systems face issues with optical fiber damage due to protection tube shrinkage causing kinking, and limited flexibility in routing fibers to different trays.

Innovation Solution

A management tray support structure with protection tube holders that control the expansion and shrinkage of protection tubes, allowing selective routing of optical fibers into multiple trays, minimizing kinking and enhancing routing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If protection tubes are used to protect optical fibers, then fiber protection is improved, but tube shrinkage causes fiber kinking and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber protectionVSAvoidtube shrinkage causing kinking

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the support structure with retention features) between the protection tube and the fiber routing system. This intermediary captures and restrains the distal end of the protection tube, preventing it from shrinking uncontrollably and kinking the fiber. The intermediary acts as a mediator that allows the protection tube to function while eliminating its harmful shrinkage effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure applies preliminary restraint to the distal end of the protection tube before shrinkage can cause damage. By capturing the tube end in advance with retention features (such as channels, grooves, or friction-fit structures), the system prevents the harmful shrinkage action from occurring, rather than attempting to correct it after damage happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If protection tubes are allowed to move freely, then installation flexibility is improved, but temperature variations cause expansion and shrinkage leading to fiber damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidfiber integrity under temperature variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing differential constraints: the proximal end of the protection tube remains free-moving for installation flexibility, while only the distal end is captured and restrained by the support structure. This localized restraint at the critical distal end prevents temperature-induced shrinkage damage without compromising the overall flexibility needed for installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure segments the protection tube into two functional zones: a proximal zone that remains free for installation flexibility and a distal zone that is captured and restrained to prevent shrinkage. This segmentation allows different parts of the same tube to have different degrees of freedom, simultaneously achieving flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If fibers are routed directly into trays without intermediate support, then routing simplicity is improved, but protection tube shrinkage causes kinking near the tray entry point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting simplicityVSAvoidfiber kinking at tray entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure performs preliminary action by capturing and restraining the distal end of the protection tube before the fiber enters the tray. This preliminary restraint prevents shrinkage-induced kinking at the critical tray entry point, addressing the problem before it can occur during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively minimizes fiber damage by controlling protection tube shrinkage and provides enhanced flexibility in routing optical fibers, ensuring reliable and efficient fiber management within telecommunications closure systems.

Implementation Method 1

protection tubes are typically made of a material that can expand and shrink when exposed to varying temperatures. Axial shrinkage of the protection tube can be particularly problematic in causing damage to the optical fibers near the distal end of the protection tube as it recedes or otherwise changes shape due to the shrinkage.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11630277B2Fiber optic closures and support structures and assemblies for fiber optic closures

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Closure-mounted support structures and associated assemblies for supporting fiber optic management devices within a fiber optic closure defining a closure volume. The support structures are adapted to receive and hold axially distal portions of protection tubes that hold and protect portions of optical fibers as they are routed through the closure volume, and also to support optical fiber management trays into which the optical fibers can be routed upon exiting the protection tubes.